Australia to help secure Myanmar's borders

Australia has stronger borders when the region has stronger borders, says the government as it announces plans to improve border control in Myanmar.

Bangali (also known as Rohingya) family members ride trishaw as they travel through Thet Kel Pyin Muslim refugee camp near Sittwe, Rakhine State, western Myanmar (AAP)

The Australian government has announced a five-year plan to strengthen immigration and border control in Myanmar.

Under the memorandum of understanding, Australia will help improve areas of border management in the Southeast Asian country, including governance, training and development, and systems and technology.

Some parts of the plan, including establishing an electronic visa for tourists, have already been successfully implemented.

"Threats to our borders are growing and a regional approach is vital to counter people smuggling, terrorism and transnational crime," Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement on Saturday.

The measures will assist Myanmar to facilitate its increasing number of travellers while promoting compliance with entry and stay requirements, he said.

"Australia has stronger domestic borders when the region has stronger borders," he added.